Humanity is in danger of disappearing due to the fury of the gods.
An indigenous boy named Izel is chosen to close the five gates of the underworld and thus save humanity.
To combat the wrath of Mictlantecuhtli (Mexica god of death), Izel is accompanied by a warrior, a priestess, two Mayan ball players, and an axolotl named Meque.
This is the plot of
Onyx Equinox
, an animated series that will premiere on November 21 on the Crunchyroll platform.
Paints pretty well @crunchyroll_la's original Onyx Equinox.
Animated series developed in Mesoamerica.
This is what Tezcatlipoca and Mictlantecuhtli look like.
pic.twitter.com/Kl9LoouDix
- Benny 81 (@Soydechole) November 19, 2020
Sofía Alexander, a Mexican living in the United States, is the creator and executive producer of this animated series that gathers a good part of the worldview of the Mesoamerican cultures of Mexico.
"I was born in Quintana Roo and what I want is to tell a story of courage but through an indigenous boy as the main character," he tells Verne, through a video call.
"Diversifying the type of characters we see in animation is very important and Mexicans can know that our stories also have a place," he says.
The
Onyx Equinox
story
began thirteen years ago as part of an Alexander school project.
Nelli, Izel's sister, is offered in a ritual sacrifice and this boy has to face his loss and find the courage to save his community by closing the five gates of the underworld and standing up to Mictlantecuhtli.
"It is a story of facing losses, finding strength and being courageous," says Alexander.
"When I wrote this story I was going through difficult times and I needed a story to be able to find that strength," he details.
See this post on Instagram
A post shared by Sofia Alexander (@ sofi.alexander)
The indigenous characters and the approach to Mesoamerican cultures are the central figures, something that Alexander wanted to put in the spotlight.
"I wanted to tell this story, but not as always through white characters or with European influence, but based on my roots," says the artist.
In Mexico, indigenous people are not represented as main characters on television, but as secondary characters and mainly associated with poverty, according to a study by the Autonomous University of Nuevo León.
The name of this animated series refers to an important event for pre-Hispanic cultures.
"I chose the name
Equinox
because the equinox is a moment of balance between light and darkness," says Alexander.
Meque, the axolotl that accompanies the protagonist, was chosen because it is a typical animal of Mexico and represents the colors of the country.
"The aesthetic of the series is very colorful, as I see Mexico, full of vibrant tones."
The specialized animation service Crunchyroll will premiere this series on November 21 and its premiere has provoked dozens of messages on social networks.
"I hope that this story generates curiosity among those who see it so that they know much more about Mesoamerican cultures and continue to know more about the history of Mexico," concludes Alexander.
Still from 'Onyx Equinox'.
Courtesy of Crunchyroll Latin America.
Still from 'Onyx Equinox'.
Courtesy of Crunchyroll Latin America.
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